Can a bad relationship be repaired? Honestly, it depends. Depending on how poisonous your relationship is and how hard you and your partner are willing to work, it may be worth a shot. However, know that the road to healing includes hard, emotionally taxing work for the both of you. There are neither quick fixes nor miracle cures.

Love is a lot of work. Relationships sometimes get challenging. The majority of the time, maintaining a healthy relationship requires a lot of consideration, awareness, dedication, time, and effort.  If your love relationship has become toxic and you are unsure of what to do, read on for advice from a trained couples therapist. 

What is a toxic relationship?

A toxic relationship is one where there is a lot of anger, manipulation, contempt, and criticism from one or both of the people in the relationship. This type of relationship can be incredibly damaging and can cause a lot of emotional pain and distress. Toxic relationships can include relationships with family members, friends, colleagues, or romantic partners. It is important to identify the signs of a toxic relationship and take steps to address it.  Toxic relationships can be caused by a variety of factors. They may be due to a lack of communication, unresolved issues, or a lack of trust, among other things. It is important to be aware of the signs of a toxic relationship and take steps to address it.

Identifying Why the Relationship is Toxic

The first step to reviving and rebuilding a toxic relationship is to identify why the relationship is toxic. This can be difficult and requires a lot of honesty, self-reflection and communication. It is important to be honest with yourself and with your partner about the issues that are causing the toxicity.  It is also important to identify the patterns of behavior that are causing the toxicity. For example, if there is a lack of trust in the relationship, it is important to identify the underlying cause of this and address it. This can be done through honest communication and self-reflection.  It is also important to identify the underlying emotions that are causing the toxicity. This can be difficult, as it requires a lot of self-awareness, but it is an important step in the process of reviving and rebuilding a toxic relationship.

Reassessing the Relationship and Deciding if it is Worth Saving

Once you have identified why the relationship is toxic, the next step is to reassess the relationship and decide if it is worth saving. This process requires emotional maturity, honest communication and a lot of self-reflection. It is important to be honest and realistic with yourself and your partner about the issues that are causing the toxicity and whether or not the relationship is worth saving. 

Seeking Professional Help – Therapy and Couples Therapy

Once you have decided that the relationship is worth saving, the next step is to seek professional help. This can be done through individual therapy, couples therapy, or both. Therapy can help both parties to gain a better understanding of the issues that are causing the toxicity and how to address them. Individual therapy can help each person to gain a better understanding of themselves and their issues. Couples therapy can help both parties to gain a better understanding of the issues in the relationship and how to address them, along with working on individual issues in the face of one another – a process which brings couples significantly closer in the majority of cases.

Taking Steps to Revive and Rebuild the Relationship

Once you have identified the issues that are causing the toxicity and have sought professional help, the next step is to take actions to revive and rebuild the relationship. It is also important to be understanding of your partner and to be patient with them. Most importantly, understand that change comes from action and not from insight alone.  Therefore, you must be willing to make changes in actionable form, not just with intention or emotion.  This can include making changes in your behavior, such as being more patient and understanding, as well as making changes in the way you communicate with your partner.

Finding Ways to Live Happily Even After Rebuilding the Relationship

Once the relationship has been revived and rebuilt, it is important to find ways to maintain the changes even after the rebuilding process. This can be done through understanding and compassion for your partner, finding ways to have fun together, communicating gratitude and appreciation, carving time out for your partner, and taking time for yourself.  It is also important to set boundaries in the relationship. This can include setting rules and expectations for the relationship and being willing to stand up for yourself. 

Moving Forward with a Positive Outlook

Reviving and rebuilding a toxic relationship can be a difficult and challenging process. However, good relationships are worth saving. It is important to be honest with yourself and your partner about the issues that are causing the toxicity and to take steps to address them. It is also important to seek professional help, to take actionable steps to revive and rebuild the relationship, and to know how to maintain them.  By taking the steps outlined in this blog, you can revive and rebuild a toxic relationship and unlock the power of intimacy and commitment. Good luck!